Latest news with #CollierCounty
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Florida bear attack victim dragged from ransacked camper in deadly mauling, 911 calls reveal
Editor's note: A previous version of this story indicated the wrong relationship between Sue Story and Robert Markel. When Sue Story found her grandfather's dog being mauled in her front yard and no sign of Robert Markel, she told authorities something was not right. According to an incident report from the Collier County Sheriff's Office, Story, 65, told authorities a bear killed the dog, but she could not find Markel, 89. Story told authorities that when she went to check Markel's camper, also on her property, he was not there. The last time she saw her grandfather was about 7:30 p.m. May 4, the night before. When she spoke with authorities, Story told them Markel's camper was "in disarray." When a responding sheriff's deputy checked the trailer, as described in the report, the mattress was off the bed and items were scattered throughout the trailer. The sheriff's deputy indicated he did not find blood in the trailer. Then, approximately 20 yards from the trailer, in nearby woods, he said authorities found a wallet, pants and a T-shirt that "appeared to be saturated in blood." When officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission arrived, they found Markel's body approximately 100 yards from the trailer. FWC announcement: FWC takes bears for DNA analysis after deadly attack kills man, dog in rural Collier County Dirt and leaves covered Markel's remains, the report states. Authorities said it is the first time in recorded Florida history a black bear has killed a human. During a May 6 press conference, authorities said officials were working to find the bear, with three already killed and taken to Gainesville for DNA analysis. Officials also said Markel and the dog were home alone during the incident and that Markel likely died two hours before the dog. Officers continue to set traps and search for bears. Authorities received two 911 calls as bystanders became aware of the canine's mauling. "He's already killed a dog," the first of two callers, identifying as a grandson of Markel and his father, reported, later adding that, "One of the bears is still here." The caller then warned the dispatcher he was venturing out to search for the bear. "I'm putting my clothes on and I'm taking my gun," the caller said. "I'm gonna go look for this bear." The caller said they did not know how long Markel has been gone. During a second call, which lasted 20 minutes, he said they saw a bear grab and maul the dog. The 911 dispatcher asked if Markel could have run away. "He's 89. He literally can't walk," the caller said. The caller said the bears frequent the area, grab the nearby trash and "all of the sudden decided to take him." Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@ or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Bluesky @tomasfrodriguez. Tayeba Hussein is a breaking news reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You may email her at THussein@ This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Bear attack in Florida: Man dragged from camper in fatal mauling
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Good news: Much needed rain is coming. Not so good news: Flood watch issued for Naples
After a pretty uneventful weather weekend in Southwest Florida, Monday (May 12) will be a much different story to some places. In fact, late Sunday (May 11) afternoon the National Weather Service in Miami, which covers Collier County, issued a flood watch starting Monday morning for coastal Collier County and inland Collier County. The anticipated "rain event" is actual welcome here where there has been a severe drought almost five months into 2025. The flood watch is in effect from Monday morning through Tuesday (May 13) morning. More: Extreme drought conditions in Florida expanding. Will weekend rain help? The forecast for Monday (May 12): Periods of steady moderate to heavy rainfall are expected Monday morning through Monday night. A total of 3 to 6 inches of total rainfall is forecasted for the region with locally higher amounts in excess of 7 to 8 inches possible. According to the NWS, excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. As of Sunday (May 11) Naples has recorded only1.96 inches of rain, which is 6.21 inches below the norm. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: National Weather Service issues flood watch for Naples, Florida
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Rain showers are coming to Fort Myers, but not nearly enough to impact severe drought
It's not going to be a bright, sun-shiny day in Fort Myers on Monday (May 12), but this will unlikely not bother too many people living here. Because of a severe drought, the worst since 2001 in these parts, there might be some people heard cheering if we get more than a sprinkling of raindrops. More: Extreme drought conditions in Florida expanding. Will weekend rain help? There will be rain in Southwest Florida − according to the National Weather Service in Tampa − but as of Sunday (May 11) night, it is looking like Collier County will get more water than Lee County. A flood watch was issued by the National Weather Service on Sunday afternoon for Collier County. There isn't a flood watch for Lee County. According to the National Weather Service in Tampa, the work week will start this way: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 84. Southeast wind 10 to 13 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. And Monday night? Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. On Tuesday (May 13) the NWS says there is A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms. It should be mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Beyond Tuesday it looks like another stretch of days through the week with little or no rain expected. As of Sunday (May 11) Fort Myers has recorded 3.8 inches of rain so far in 2025 for a deficit of 5.71 inches. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: How much rain will Fort Myers get from Florida weather system?
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Good news: Much needed rain is coming. Not so good news: Flood watch issued for Naples
After a pretty uneventful weather weekend in Southwest Florida, Monday (May 12) will be a much different story to some places. In fact, late Sunday (May 11) afternoon the National Weather Service in Miami, which covers Collier County, issued a flood watch starting Monday morning for coastal Collier County and inland Collier County. The anticipated "rain event" is actual welcome here where there has been a severe drought almost five months into 2025. The flood watch is in effect from Monday morning through Tuesday (May 13) morning. More: Extreme drought conditions in Florida expanding. Will weekend rain help? The forecast for Monday (May 12): Periods of steady moderate to heavy rainfall are expected Monday morning through Monday night. A total of 3 to 6 inches of total rainfall is forecasted for the region with locally higher amounts in excess of 7 to 8 inches possible. According to the NWS, excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. As of Sunday (May 11) Naples has recorded only1.96 inches of rain, which is 6.21 inches below the norm. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: National Weather Service issues flood watch for Naples, Florida
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Yahoo
Florida man, 89, and his dog mauled to death by black bear in state's first fatal attack
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) on Friday confirmed a man and his dog were mauled to death by a black bear in Jerome — marking the first fatal black bear attack in state history. Family members reported 89-year-old Robert Markel missing from his home and "signs of recent disturbances" that could have been caused by a bear or bears around the property. The Collier County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) notified FWC staff on Monday of a possible fatal wildlife encounter, and FWC law enforcement and bear management staff immediately responded to secure the area. Young Kangaroo Hops Around Florida Town After Brazen Escape, Owner Charged Markel's remains were found about 100 yards from his home, along with evidence of a "physical encounter" between a bear and a person near the house, according to a news release from the FWC. Officials also noted a dog was recently killed by a bear near a person, and there were signs that a bear had entered the home itself. Read On The Fox News App Nih Closes Experimentation Labs Accused Of Brutally Killing Thousands Of Beagles For 40+ Years While the exact sequence of events remains unclear, the FWC's Human-Bear Conflict Response Policies and Guidelines outline how the agency should respond when faced with situations that require the removal of a bear for public safety. From Monday night into early Tuesday morning, FWC personnel killed three adult male bears weighing 207, 263 and 434 pounds, according to the release. There was an unsuccessful attempt to trap a fourth bear, but DNA evidence was collected, officials said. The three carcasses were immediately taken to laboratories in Gainesville for necropsy and testing, along with DNA samples collected from physical evidence at the scene. FWC officials said the Collier County Medical Examiner is still in the process of completing their investigation, but indicated Markel's preliminary cause of death was "consistent with injuries caused by a black bear." World's Tallest, Shortest Dogs Meet For Precious Playdate Caught On Camera Necropsy results revealed that one bear, the 263-pound male, contained partial remains of Markel. DNA results received on Friday positively identified that the 263-pound male's DNA was present on Markel, inside his home and on the dog's body. The only bear DNA found at the scene matched the three bears that were killed by authorities. All three bears were tested for rabies, and all results were negative, according to officials. FWC law enforcement and bear management staff stayed in contact with the family and maintained a presence near the property until Friday, spotting only one additional bear in the area. Law enforcement and bear management staff will remain throughout the weekend. Pittsburgh Funeral Director Charged With Swindling Pet Owners, Dumping Pets' Remains In Landfill "We want to thank the family for their cooperation as they navigate this challenging time, and our thoughts remain with them," said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. "I am proud of our staff's professional response and support for the family as they faced an unfathomable event this week." Jerome is in the South Bear Management Unit, which has the third-largest population of bears in the state, estimated at 1,044 in 2015. The FWC received 16 bear-related calls within a 10-mile radius of nearby Copeland between May 5, 2024, and May 4, 2025, resulting in five site visits, five capture efforts, three bears that were relocated and hazed, and one bear that was humanely killed, according to the FWC. While it is rare for wild black bears to injure people in Florida, people have been bitten and scratched by bears, most often when there are cubs, food sources or dogs present. The FWC receives an average of 6,300 bear-related calls annually and has documented 42 prior incidents where wild black bears have made physical contact with people since the 1970s, when comprehensive records began being kept. Of those, three resulted in serious injuries requiring medical attention prior to the most recent article source: Florida man, 89, and his dog mauled to death by black bear in state's first fatal attack
